Mayor Rahm Emanuel today appointed Rebekah Scheinfeld to be the new commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and will submit her nomination for City Council approval.

“In two and a half years, Chicago has become a national leader in expanding transportation options and rebuilding infrastructure. Rebekah will continue to build on our successful record and ensure that every Chicagoan has access to world-class transportation systems,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Her strong management and planning skills will bring a lot to the agency as it continues the critical work of making sure Chicago has a strong, vibrant, accessible transportation network.”

Scheinfeld is currently the Chief Planning Officer and a Senior Vice President at the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), where she handles the CTA’s strategic planning for major capital projects and new transit service. Scheinfeld has led efforts to plan for the reconstruction of the Red Line – including 95th Street Station, reconstruction of the north section of the Red Line, and the southern extension – and for potential Bus Rapid Transit corridors. She also oversees service planning and scheduling for the bus and rail system, as well as the agency’s federal, state and local capital grants program.

“I am grateful to Mayor Emanuel for the opportunity to serve as commissioner of CDOT, and I look forward to continuing to modernize and improve the city’s transportation systems,” Scheinfeld said. “Chicago has proven itself as one of the most innovative, dynamic cities in its approach to transportation, and I am committed to cultivating this spirit of innovation to implement even more creative and effective ways to plan, build and maintain the public way.”

Scheinfeld is an attorney, having worked previously at Mayer Brown, representing public and private sector clients on major infrastructure and transportation projects. She also worked for East Lake Management & Development Corp. as a Senior Development Manager of mixed-income housing and for the New York City Parks Department as Director of Government Relations and Operations Coordinator. Scheinfeld has a BA in Urban Studies from Brown University and both her JD and MBA from Northwestern University.

Scheinfeld’s appointment is subject to City Council approval. She will begin in an interim capacity in late January.